Toyota Launches Landcruiser Workhorse Double Cab

Demand from the booming mining sector and from others requiring a rugged vehicle has prompted Toyota to develop a double-cab version for its venerable 70-Series LandCruiser range.

Australia will be the first market in the world to get the new LC79 double cab, which builds on the vehicle’s tough, practical design.

On sale in late September, it will be the fourth body style in the range, joining the single cab-chassis, troop carrier and wagon.

The new variant comes in two grades, Workmate and GXL, both with a 130-litre fuel-tank capacity, 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine, five-speed manual transmission and part-time 4WD with two-speed transfer case.

The new double cab also benefits from production upgrades to the range, including anti-skid brakes on all grades, air-inlet snorkel mounted on the A pillar, improved seats, in-dash multi-function clock and audio/CD system with Bluetooth$trade;# hands-free, audio streaming and voice-recognition phone/audio.

Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Matthew Callachor said mining companies and other regional and rural communities had been keenly waiting for the arrival of the new double cab.

“The 70-Series is so popular for the really tough jobs that customers have been modifying the wagon version to provide the flexibility of a double-cab ute,” Mr Callachor said.

“The double cab will carry five adults as well as providing a one-tonne payload for their heavy gear, such as surveying equipment,” he said.

“For other customers, including farmers, the large cabin will allow the kids to ride along, while also offering the touring benefits of a dual-cab ute along with the legendary LandCruiser toughness.”

The 70-Series range has been available in various guises for several decades. The wagon version and the 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 were introduced as part of a major facelift in 2007. All variants adopted driver and front-passenger airbags in 2009.

Customer loyalty is remarkably strong, with the majority of buyers replacing an existing LandCruiser 70-series vehicle due to its capabilities in rough conditions such as heavily corrugated unsealed roads.

In mine pits, the vehicles and their owners have to cope with extreme dust in the dry and thick mud in the wet. Some vehicles are also be fitted with rail arms to travel on train rails.